Dear Annie

Suits you madam: London tailors and finding a cozzie in China

I am an expat in Asia, so getting stuff to fit me properly is really difficult and I need to shop online. I need to find somewhere I can buy good quality swimsuits that I'm not going to fall out of on the top and that won't ride up my backside while I'm swimming - nothing fancy, I'm not trying to knock them dead on the beach. I just want a decent swimsuit. Jo, China

You have to be my most far-flung reader to date! Fantastic. Three suggestions for you. First visit www.swimwear.com for a huge range of swimwear online.

Second, try Jantzen, a make which I've had very good feedback on. Your nearest Jantzen agent is in Japan (email yasuo-uematsu@kosugi.co.jp or phone 81-3-3662-5481 -you'll probably have to put a code in front of it but you'll be better versed on the China to Japan phone code than I am) and they should be able to give you details of your nearest stockist.

Lastly, but my favourite, suggestion: Maureen Smythe of Splash Out - she's been mentioned before in this column but she is so fab. Based in south-east England she can make you a swimsuit from scratch to your exact requirements and she said she'd be only too happy to deal with an enquiry from China. Contact her by email at info@splashout.freeserve.co.uk or visit the website www.splashout.freeserve.co.uk.

For three years I've been buying Vanity Fair bras from Bravissimo, which has now stopped supplying them. I'm devastated, as they're the best bras I've ever had. Apparently, Vanity Fair's an American style. It has pretty satiny cups and a criss-cross insert at the front - not only is it very attractive, it gives excellent support and a nice outline under T-shirts. I'm normally a 38DD - any suggestions where I might be able to get hold of this make?Susan Ledwich, Bracknell, Berks

Bravissimo stopped stocking this bra because the manufacturer kept changing the sizing - from US to British to European - and it was confusing. You can still get them, though, through Vanity Fair Intimates (phone 0141 952 3241 for your nearest stockist). It comes in European sizes 34-48 C/D/E/F (you'll probably need to try it on) and in black, white, or ivory. It costs £24.

I'm trying to find a tailor in London who will make a trouser suit (or dress, etc) for my partner's birthday. Budget is about £500-£750, which probably rules out Savile Row! Stuart, London

I sent my results to Stuart in time for his girlfriend's birthday (though I told him he'd have to review his budget a bit) and now that it is safely over, I'm printing my suggestions, as lots of you have been writing in wanting suits made. A wee word of warning from one who has been disappointed: make sure you know what you're getting, yet be open to ideas. I was way too rigid in what I wanted and the fabric I chose didn't hang like I had hoped. Obviously the people making it should have told me this, but I think they were too scared!

Also I find that if I see clothes in a shop, I'm more likely to be seduced by something that I wouldn't have thought of - like a different style of pockets or a collar shaped just so. And you might surprise yourself in what you like. When you have something made for you, unless you're very good at imagining what it might look like, you tend to go with what you know, so you're never pleasantly surprised. That said, when it works, having something made for you is great.

Mark Powell, based in London W1 (020 7287 5498). A suit will cost £1,000-£1,600 including material. He does make skirt suits, but mainly works with trousers. A dress would cost £650-£1,000, including material.

Joe Allen Design Consultants, based in London N1 (020 7704 1040). A ladies' trouser suit starts at £500, a basic dress from £200 (prices don't include material). There's a three-week waiting list, but some urgent jobs may be fitted in.

John Pearse, based in London W1 (020 7434 0738), can make suits for about £1,500 (including material) and has a few off-the-peg ladies' suits for about £800. He does make skirt suits but not dresses.

Pamela Blundell, based in London W1 (020 7792 0718). A bit out of Stuart's range, with prices starting at £1,600). Specialises in women's tailoring with a very sexy fit - no surprise to learn that Kylie is a customer.

Do ask to see past examples of a tailor's work. And Stuart, let me know whether your present was a hit!

Replies to replies Loads of replies to where to find the definitive boot-cut gym trousers (10 March column) including some from companies each claiming to make the perfect pair. I can't really print such letters - though I don't mind reporting back on a company I know but forgot to mention (DS Yoga, phone 01372 464686 who make a pair for £25 including lots of good work out kit. God, I wish I did yoga). Here are a few helpful hints from readers - all I have space for (but keep posting your hints on the talkthread at www.observer.co.uk/dearannie).

My heart goes out to Hannah from London: I too am a long-legged student. First I found some black 'jazz pants' in La Redoute costing £17 but they are a bit low on the waist and show your knickers in aerobics class. Not chic. Then I cracked the problem with a pair of boot-cut gym trousers from Nike, £25, mostly cotton with a bit of Lycra, sizes SML.Doris Pearce, Suffolk

I love boot-cut gym trousers too and have two fab pairs: a plain navy Adidas pair, £40 but sooooo flattering and comfy and people always ask me where I got them; and a pair from USA Pro, navy with a turquoise side stripe - but they come in loads of different colours.Dionne, via email

About this article

Suits you madam: London tailors and finding a cozzie in China

This article appeared on p4 of the Observer Review section of the Observer
on Saturday 13 April 2002.
It was published on
the Guardian website
at 05.57 EDT on Sunday 14 April 2002.
It was last modified at 05.57 EDT on Thursday 9 May 2002.
It was first published at 05.57 EDT on Thursday 9 May 2002.